Pre-Columbian earth-builders settled along the entire southern rim of the Amazon

Jonas Gregorio Souza (), Denise Pahl Schaan, Mark Robinson, Antonia Damasceno Barbosa, Luiz E. O. C. Aragão, Ben Hur Marimon, Beatriz Schwantes Marimon, Izaias Brasil Silva, Salman Saeed Khan, Francisco Ruji Nakahara and José Iriarte
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Jonas Gregorio Souza: College of Humanities, University of Exeter, Laver Building, North Park Road
Denise Pahl Schaan: Federal University of Pará
Mark Robinson: College of Humanities, University of Exeter, Laver Building, North Park Road
Antonia Damasceno Barbosa: Federal University of Pará
Luiz E. O. C. Aragão: National Institute for Space Research
Ben Hur Marimon: Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Campus de Nova Xavantina
Beatriz Schwantes Marimon: Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Campus de Nova Xavantina
Izaias Brasil Silva: National Institute for Space Research
Salman Saeed Khan: College of Humanities, University of Exeter, Laver Building, North Park Road
Francisco Ruji Nakahara: Federal University of Pará
José Iriarte: College of Humanities, University of Exeter, Laver Building, North Park Road

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract The discovery of large geometrical earthworks in interfluvial settings of southern Amazonia has challenged the idea that Pre-Columbian populations were concentrated along the major floodplains. However, a spatial gap in the archaeological record of the Amazon has limited the assessment of the territorial extent of earth-builders. Here, we report the discovery of Pre-Columbian ditched enclosures in the Tapajós headwaters. The results show that an 1800 km stretch of southern Amazonia was occupied by earth-building cultures living in fortified villages ~Cal AD 1250–1500. We model earthwork distribution in this broad region using recorded sites, with environmental and terrain variables as predictors, estimating that earthworks will be found over ~400,000 km2 of southern Amazonia. We conclude that the interfluves and minor tributaries of southern Amazonia sustained high population densities, calling for a re-evaluation of the role of this region for Pre-Columbian cultural developments and environmental impact.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03510-7

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